Apparently a group of Chabad Birthright Israel participants from Australia has recently visited Hebron, which according to official policy of the organization is not permitted; “Our tours do not travel to or through areas of the West Bank, Gaza or East Jerusalem, other than the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.”
This video was posted to YouTube last night and since taken down. While we hear Birthright intends to take some undefined action against the trip provider, the organization’s Israel office has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
update 1:13 pm IDT: Taglit-Birthright Israel has issued the following as their official statement:
On July 4th, a Taglit-Birthright Israel group from Australia, run by the Israel Experience, visited the Cave of the Patriarchs.
All Taglit-Birthright Israel itineraries are approved by the security authorities, and are updated constantly according to the situation. Our website is updated from time to time accordingly, as well.
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Interesting story but I don’t understand the issue. Birthright groups travel to the Dead sea (driving through the west bank when coming from Jerusalem). Also, Hebron was just recently declared a national Heritage site by the Israeli government – how can it not be permitted and how can birthright take action against the provider?
everyone should know that this was approved by birthright – obviously Mooli who is known for his anti-religious opinions against religious orgznizers is freaking out about this….
If Birthright does have a policy of not visiting places in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem then I suggest that it is Birthright that should reconsider. Travel to anywhere in Eretz Yisrael is an exploration of the Jewish homeland and making any trip should depend only on safety, security and other logistical questions at the time of the trip itself. Unless, of course, young Jews are being taught that part of their birthright is to feel cowed by the General Assembly and the rantings of anti-Israel activists.
Birthright has the right to determine how its trips are run, and if this is their policy then it is up to those fortunate enough to take advantage of this remarkable opportunity (both trip providers and participants) to abide by those constraints. However it does seem that birthright is predetermining a particular perspective for participants – many of whom have not had prior opportunities to grapple with the issues impacting these areas of Israel.
If I’m not mistaken every birthright trip goes to The City of David in what’s considered East Jerusalem. Are they going to stop these visits as well? Why not just save both time and money by taking them to Mini Israel?
Your report is false. This trip was not operated by Chabad. It was sponsored by the Australian Union of Jewish Students and the Zionist Organization of Australia.
Birthright does let groups go to the West Bank if they get prior permission.
Kol HaKavod to the person(s) whose idea this was. Our Patriarchs lived and died in Chevron. THIS is Jewish land, and Birthright is SUPPOSED to give participants a JEWISH experience. Our forefathers did not go shopping at the Azrieli Mall, they lived in CHEVRON. Any group that does NOT take Birthright participants there is hypocritical. THIS IS OUR BIRTHRIGHT!!!!!!